ProCycle Arm

Inspiration

When brainstorming for our HackMHS project, we were inspired by assistive devices like the stabilizing spoon designed for individuals with Parkinson’s. It showed us how technology can make daily life more accessible and empowering for people with disabilities. As avid bikers, we started thinking about how important mobility and independence are. But not everyone can ride a bike—especially those who have lost an arm or face other physical limitations. That’s when it clicked: what if we could design something that restores the ability to bike for someone who’s lost a limb? That created an affordable, functional prosthetic that gives people the chance to ride again. Our goal is to make biking more inclusive and to help others reclaim a part of their everyday life.

What it does

Pro CycleArm is a revolutionary and affordable prosthetic device designed specifically for individuals who have lost an arm but still want to enjoy the freedom and independence of riding a bicycle. Traditional prosthetics often fall short in specialized activities like biking—either due to cost, limited mobility, or discomfort.

How we built it

We identified the problem, we wanted to tackle it, and we implemented the Brainstorm, Design & Build Cycle (BDB) to guide our process from concept to creation. This cycle helps ensure that our project is intentional, and efficient, and stays within the tight time constraints of a hackathon. We began by generating a wide range of ideas and sketching out multiple possible solutions. This step allowed us to think creatively without limitations and consider various perspectives on the problem. By comparing and evaluating our initial concepts, we were able to refine our direction and select the most promising and effective approach. From there, we transitioned into the building phase with a clear plan, staying mindful of the challenges to come. The BDB cycle not only helped us stay organized but also allowed us to iterate quickly, troubleshoot effectively, and adapt as we encountered new challenges—all critical to delivering a working prototype within our deadline.

Challenges we ran into

One of the biggest challenges we faced was creating a design that was both robust and mechanically simple; a prosthetic that could function without relying on electronics or complex components that might break down over time. We wanted something that would be reliable in real-world conditions, from daily commutes to off-road biking. To meet this goal, we focused on making the design durable, easy to maintain, and reliable over time. The Pro CycleArm operates entirely through mechanical components—featuring a strong joint system, passive grip mechanism, and built-in shock absorption. This allows it to perform in a variety of environments without the risk of electronic failure. The final result is a tough, user-friendly prosthetic that needs little maintenance and can be trusted in demanding conditions.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud we designed and prototyped a fully mechanical, modular prosthetic arm that requires no electronics or code, making it both affordable and practical for real-world use, especially for amputees in low-resource environments.

What we learned

We learned that Hackathons don't always have to be about coding and electronics but rather about what ideas can innovate the world. Another thing we learned is simpler is better, having more simpler design helped us speed up the process and leave room for more things to add later while also keeping that cheap but modern design. Finally, we realized small things help big problems, even though our prosthetic is nothing compared to other professional ones, it still helps with other big problems others don't realize like lifelong and affordable prosthetics that can help the poverty

What's next for ProCycle Arm

Adding a brake to the prosthetic to help ensure the safety of the user and having a gear shift will give them an opportunity that normal prosthetics don't give and let them have an easier ride. Also, being able to use your phone to scan your arn and we will send you a quote and a list of designs that you can choose from. Then we ship a perfectly fitted Pro CycleArm to you.